All India access alumni community service workshop of the English Access Program

SARVAM has been conducting the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) with the support of the US Embassy and RELO, which provides English language training to 13-21-year-old students from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions.

As part of this program, one alumnus, Ms. Abhitha, from a poor background, was selected out of 40 students from all over India on behalf of Sarvam ACCESS for the All India access alumni community service workshop in Mysore.

The Regional English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi conducting alumni program of the English Access Microscholarship program to participate in a course in designing and implementing community service projects.  As part of the course, participants were required to plan and implement a community service project.

This program managed and implemented by American Councils for International Education in collaboration with the Regional English Language Office (RELO), and the English Language Specialist program.

The course engaged 40 Access alumni in a dynamic program to

1.     Equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully identify community needs and address them through community service projects.

2.     Build leadership skills for civic participation and professional development.

3.     Build skills in grant writing to obtain funding for community service or other projects.

Participation will be fully funded by RELO through American Councils, including all costs for travel and accommodation.

The course plan has the following four phases: 

• Phase 1:  An eight-week asynchronous virtual course in planning community service projects (October 16 to December 18th, 2022). There was a one-hour meeting on Sunday mornings during this period. During the week, the participants will need to do assigned coursework for up to 4 hours/week
• Phase 2:  A seven-day in-person workshop on community service in Mysore (February 25-March 4, 2023) 
• Phase 3:  Implementation of a six- to eight-week community service project under the guidance of an English Language Specialist for approximately 4-6 hours per week (February- Early May 2023)
• Phase 4: Virtual Showcase of Projects (May 2023). The five participants who lead the best community service projects nationally (one from each consular region) will be invited to an in-person showcase in New Delhi in May or early June 2023.

Since she has successfully completed the phase 1 online classes, she participated in the workshop of phase 2 in Mysore.

The participation of a poor student from a remote village from a backward community motivates the other students as well. In addition to learning from group discussions, meeting other alumni, meeting experts from the USA, chart work, visiting the places, staying in quality accommodation, and traveling by plane, she also experienced a great deal of fun.

Energized by her new energy and guided by Sarvam’s guidance, she will continue the community service project into the third phase and help motivate other students in the process.